Current qualifications and training programmes
The provision of training in the use of plant protection products is a minimum requirement for granting agri-environmental support. According to the conditions for agri-environmental support in force since 1998, plant protection products may by applied only by persons who have completed operator training in the use of plant protection products. The operator qualification is valid for five years. A special qualification in the use of plant protection products, also valid for five years, is accepted as a valid operator qualification.
Section 18 of the current Finnish Act on Plant Protection Products lays down provisions regarding a special qualification in the use of substances that present a special risk to health or the environment. Tukes monitors and maintains a record of holders of the qualification. The qualification is valid for 10 years. An examination fee is charged for the special qualification.
Retailers train their sales personnel by means of in-house training events held several times each year. At least the biggest commercial enterprises provide such training on a regular basis.
At present there is comprehensive training within the landscape construction and green decoration sector, but the content needs to be revised. The training material used in the sector has also become outdated with respect to the requirements of the new Directive. Information on the core aspects of the new legislation remains insufficient, and provision of training and advice regarding the new legislation poses its own challenges for the sector.
In the forest sector the Finnish Forest Research Institute (METLA) has been responsible for the provision of training for forest tree nursery workers. Training of forest machine
contractors has been organised by the Forestry Development Centre Tapio and the forest industry research and development company Metsäteho Oy.
Training currently available in Finland covers users of plant protection products in agriculture and sales personnel of the biggest agricultural businesses selling plant protection products.
The training system works quite well. In connection with the implementation of the National Action Plan, Tukes will provide clear guidelines regarding the division of labour. Further investment in the training of sales personnel of smaller enterprises is also needed.
Training under the Sustainable Use Directive
According to Article 5 of the Framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides, Member States are required to set up systems of both initial and additional training for distributors, advisors and professional users of pesticides. In addition, certification systems must be established to ensure that users of pesticides are aware of the potential risks to human health and the environment. Users must also be made aware of the appropriate measures to reduce these risks. The certification systems must include requirements and procedures for the granting, renewal and withdrawal of certificates. The training supply can be tailored to the needs of different user categories, such as arable farming, greenhouse production, nurseries or forestry. According to the Directive, professional user training can be combined with the training specified in Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (agri-environment scheme).
The training must be designed to ensure that professional users, distributors and advisors acquire sufficient knowledge regarding the training subjects listed in Annex I of the Sustainable Use Directive.
In addition, the potential risk arising from spray drift of plant protection products is to be taken into consideration in the training. The user of plant protection products must, as appropriate, inform neighbours and neighbouring farms or facilities, such as apiaries, of spraying operations.
Certificates under the established certification system to be established must provide evidence of sufficient knowledge of the subjects listed in Annex I acquired by professional users, distributors and advisors either by undergoing training or by other means.
The training system under the Sustainable Use Directive must be in place four years after the entry into force of the Directive, i.e. by 26 November 2013.
Proposal for future practice
Overall responsibility for training is held by Tukes, which may delegate responsibility for training provision to different organisations.
Professional users, distributors and advisors can acquire the necessary knowledge either through training or by other means.
User training in plant protection products aimed at farmers will retain its current form. In the horticulture and landscaping sector, tailored training designed and implemented together with organisations in the field will be provided. The training of sales personnel provided by
retailers will also be continued, with Tukes involved in the training design. The aim is for closer cooperation between retailers and the authorities.
Training aimed at forest tree nurseries will be provided in cooperation with the Finnish Forest Research Institute (METLA), which will provide training for forest tree nursery workers.
Training of forest workers, such as harvesting contractors, will be provided in cooperation with the Forestry Development Centre Tapio and Metsäteho Oy.
Seed dressing chemicals training will continue to be provided for seed packagers in connection with training related to seed packaging plant permit procedures. Evira is responsible for the training in cooperation with Tukes.
The training includes an examination. The plant protection products qualification covers the appropriate and safe handling and use of plant protection products, integrated pest
management, risks related to the use of plant protection products and their control, the use and maintenance of application equipment, and record keeping of plant protection product use. In order to be able to ensure that the user, distributor and advisor knowledge is up to date with the latest developments in the industry, it is proposed that the qualification be granted for a limited period (5 years). A certificate is awarded for completing the qualification.
Requirements for sales of plant protection products
It must be ensured that distributors have sufficient staff in their employment holding a plant protection products training certificate. Such persons shall be available at the time of sale to provide adequate information to customers as regards plant protection product use, health and environmental risks and safety instructions, especially in the case of plant protection products intended for professional use.
Distributors are required to provide non-professional users with general information regarding the risks to human health and the environment of plant protection product use, their safe handling and storage, and proper disposal of packaging. They are also required to provide information regarding low-risk alternatives.
Distributors selling only products for non-professional use may be exempted from the training provision requirement if they do not offer for sale plant protection products classified as toxic, very toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction. Such products should not be approved for home garden use.
The producers, i.e. suppliers to the market, of plant protection products are required to provide distributors and retailers with this information.
Sales of plant protection products intended for professional use
The Sustainable Use Directive prescribes that plant protection products intended for
professional use can only be sold to persons holding a certificate of proficiency in the use of plant protection products. This ensures that the buyer has sufficient knowledge regarding the proper, sustainable and safe use of the plant protection product.
All requirements concerning sales apply also to sales via the Internet.
Proposed Preparation of a training programme and training material for users,
measures: distributors and advisors of plant protection products, taking into account the subjects listed in Annex I of the Sustainable Use Directive.
Account shall be taken of the following:
- Training is required for a wider group than at present and must be differentiated for different production sectors.
- Training of sales personnel:
• Personnel must be available at the time of sale to provide adequate information to customers as regards use, risks and safety instructions to manage those risks.
• Sufficient information and/or guidance should be provided to all buyers of plant protection products. Retailers play a key role. In the sales situation, it should be possible to clarify for home gardeners the risks of using plant protection products and to steer consumer choices towards safe products or alternative methods.
The above should also apply to online sales.
- Development of tailored training for landscape workers.
- Adequate trainer competence is to be ensured. Demonstration of competence by means of training/educational background or
qualifications, or by means of online training resources followed by a competence-based examination (e.g. online examination).
- Inclusion of IPM in the training.
- Inclusion of occupational health and safety in training aimed at users, retailers and advisers of plant protection products.
- Training supervision.
- Control/auditing of inspections by spraying inspectors. Addition of the above measure to the Tukes monitoring plan.
Responsible parties:
Tukes in cooperation with other authorities and industrial and advisory organisations in the sector; retailers’ training personnel.